Author: Jo Caldwell

Hello. My name is Michael Gorsuch, and this is where I throw down my ideas. I’m a hacker at heart. During the day, I’m the sysadmin of a successful software company. Outside of that I’m trying to figure out how different things work (both organic and inorganic)

Singapore is home to a good number of international schools with high teaching standards, impressive and comprehensive curriculum, and qualified teachers. Enrolling your kids into any of them will not only boost their academic performance but will also improve their social skills and make it easier for them to express their thoughts and opinions due to the different cultures.

Before you head out and enroll your child in any of the best international schools in Singapore, it is important that you first do some research to learn about their tuition. As you probably know, the tuition of most international schools in Singapore is ridiculously high. But at the same time, there are some that are fairly expensive or affordable.

Read on to find out the rough estimate of how much it will cost you to enroll your kids into any of the reputable international schools in Singapore. Before we dive into that, we are going to be looking at why international school tuition is on the high side.

Why are the Fees So Expensive?

The obvious reason why most parents don’t enroll their kid into an international school is because of their cutthroat tuition. But do you know why their tuition is so expensive?

Below are some reasons:

Qualified Teachers

Well trained and qualified teachers don’t come cheap. The teachers in most international schools in Singapore studied in some of the best colleges in the world and have tons of experience in taking care of little kids and impacting knowledge in a fun and exciting way.

Range of Extra-Curriculum Activities

Every school year, children in international school go on a few field trips to widen their horizon. Even more, they engage in extra curriculum activities, using special learning tools, books and many more. All these add up to the tuition fee.

Learning Environment

The learning environment in most international schools in Singapore is conducive and suitable for learning. Also, they are loaded with tools and systems that can facilitate learning and keep children engaged.

The Cost of Entry

On average, it is going to cost you between 18,000 to 50,000 thousand dollars to get your child into any of the best international schools in Singapore. It might cost you up to 5000 dollars just to submit an application to some of these schools.

So, if you are on a budget, then you should weigh your options and narrow down a good one within your budget range.

Do I need to enroll my child in the most expensive international school in Singapore?

The answer to that question is ‘Not necessarily’, and for good reasons too. See, the fact that an international school has pricey tuition doesn’t mean it will be good for your child or will help him reach his potential quicker. So, take your time and do your research to find a good one within your budget range and one that suits your child and family needs.

Final note

The cost of enrolling kids in an international school is becoming more and more expensive. But this should not deter you from sending your kids to one, as they will have an opportunity to use high-end tools and systems that can help speed up their learning curve.

At end 2018, the Singaporean educational system announced its decision to shift away from the old age grade system to a more relaxed grading system, impacting both local and international schools in Singapore. There will be no more examination rankings in primary and secondary schools – something numerous international schools in Singaporeare doing. This is done in a bid to prevent students from comparing grades but instead, focus on self-improvement. It is of the opinion that, in the long run, this method will be more beneficial to the future of Singapore’s students as opposed to viewing grades as the determinant of success in life, though this belief is entrenched in the current Asian culture.

Singapore’s Ministry of Education stated that it will no longer be indicated in report cards whether a child finishes first or last in a class in order to stop children likening themselves in what can be perceived as a form of competition. Information concerning the details of the student’s grades such as the minimum and maximum remarks, average subject grades, and the total score obtained by the student will not be included as well. As a directive, the remark stating if a student “fail or pass” should be removed together with the highlighting of below passing grade marks.

Learning is not a competition but self-discipline

Ye Kung Ong – Singapore’s Minister of Education argued: “I know that ‘coming in first or second’, in class or level, has traditionally been a proud recognition of a student’s achievement. But removing these indicators is for (a) good reason so that the child understands from young that learning is not a competition but self-discipline they need to master for life.” The “pressure-cooker-like” atmosphere that encapsulates schools in Singapore – not leaving out the international schools – is seen as too much for children (at an early stage in life they are subjected to intense pressure) and is detrimental to their creativity and productivity.

However, teachers and parents alike will still be able to track the progress of their students or child respectively. This will be via homework, quizzes, forums or debates. Instead of marks and grades, the use of what is called qualitative descriptors will be used as markers for indicating, albeit subtly, the progress students have made over the course of the academic year at the primary level. Students at secondary school levels will have their grade point rounded up into whole integers instead of putting them out in raw decimal figures that place emphasis on the minute details of the student’s score. The rationale for all these changes is to take the focus away from such a high academic emphasis.

Parents will, however, be updated with their child’s progress during parent-teacher meetings.

Positive influence of International Schools system

This new reform influenced by international schools in Singapore is a big move away from the old system still in use around the world by educational bodies. Singapore is trying to set the pace as regards to educational reforms. They’ve been at the forefront of educational excellence for quite some time now, so it bodes well if they decide to breathe a new life to the sector and shake things up. It remains to be seen if fellow education hubs will follow suit. Whether they do so, however, depends on the authorities of such nations.

Basically, there are hundreds of international kindergartens out there. But finding a suitable one that can suit the needs of your child can be a challenge.

As you may a ready know, early schooling plays the closest role in the physical and mental development of children. It is a solid foundation which they will build on as they grow up.

In this article, we are going to discuss some actionable steps you can take to find a good international kindergarten for your little one.

It is important that your quest to find a suitable kindergarten school for your child is not going to be an easy one, but if you apply the tips in this article you will be able to find a school that will be suitable for your child. To find out more about an international kindergarten in Singapore, check out GESS website over here.

Start on time

Don’t wait till a few days before a kindergarten goes into session before making an inquiry. Rather start your research months before your child is ready for kindergarten. Giving your self enough time to research and compare between international kindergartens school in your area. It also gives you an opportunity to locate the closes one to your home or workplace.

Start building a network

The second actionable step you should take in order to find a good international kindergarten school network. What this means is that you get to know parents in your area and ask for their opinion about the school you plan to enrol your child. You can also make inquiry from local organization and groups in your locality.

The major reason why networking is effective is because you will be discussing with people who might have been in your shoes in the past and are better acquainted with the philosophy of various school around.

Take a tour

Taking a tour is one of the best ways you can determine if a kindergarten school is suitable for your child. And when you are touring, ask to visit the play areas as well as the classroom. Also, you have to talk to the teachers and ask them a thing or two about their teaching style and curriculum. If a school you want to enrol your child does not encourage visiting, you probably should red flag it.

Think about your whole day

What you should do here is to evaluate what your child needs and see if the school you had in mind can deal with it. Some international kindergarten has before and after school programs. A word of caution is this: Do not let the interesting curriculum of a school be your major focus.

Follow your gut

When it comes to making a choice with regards to the kindergarten school you want to enrol your child, you have to trust your guts. If for any reason you are uncomfortable with a school, then you should move on to the next one.

Another thing you could do is to take permission to walk around the school you plan to enrol your child to see the mood of kids around. If you see a lot of kids smiling and laughing, it might be a sign that the school may be suitable for your little one.

Get to know them

What you should do here is to make an appointment with the teachers, directors and the principal of the school you are considering for your child. During this appointment, get to know them as a person and ask them any question that is on your mind and ensure that your curiosity is satisfied.

Applying the tips stated in this article will go a long way in helping you find a good international kindergarten school that will be suitable for your child’s needs.

There are a huge number of languages and dialects around the world. Usually, you need to know how to speak one language in order to communicate with the people around you. However, it is actually a lot better if one person knows how to speak more than one language. It would benefit you in many ways especially if you travel abroad or if you transact with foreign people. Anyways, in this article we are going to tell you about the importance of learning another language which is Arabic.

If you are looking for an Arabic course in Singapore, you should check out Berlitz Language School. They are one of the most established and oldest language schools in the world, and they offer a wide range of language courses and at varying proficiency levels. If you want to learn Arabic seriously, you should check out Learn Arabic Singapore Berlitz site above.

In an article by Huda, he is going to give us some of the importance of the Arabic language in Islam.

The Importance of the Arabic Language In Islam

Ninety percent of the world’s Muslims do not speak Arabic as their native language. Yet in daily prayers, when reading the Quran or even in simple conversations with each other, Arabic readily rolls off any Muslim’s tongue. The pronunciation may be broken or heavily accented, but most Muslims make the attempt to speak and understand at least some Arabic.

Why is Arabic So Important to Understanding the Faith of Islam?

Regardless of their linguistic, cultural and racial differences, Muslims form one community of believers.

This community is based on their shared faith in One Almighty God and the guidance He has sent down to mankind. His final revelation to mankind, the Quran, was sent over 1400 years ago to Mohammad in the Arabic language. Thus, it is the Arabic language that serves as the common link joining this diverse community of believers and is the unifying element that ensures believers share the same ideas. Read more here.

We all know that Muslims value religion a lot. They try their best to study Arabic in order to understand the full text of the Quran in its original form. It is amazing how the Muslims put their effort especially for the sake of faith and religion.

Now, Natasha Miller is going to give us some benefits of learning Arabic. Let us read about it below.

Bilingualism: Benefits of Learning Arabic

There are many articles stating the benefits of being bilingual, but not many go into the benefits of being bilingual in a certain language. If you are teaching your child another language anyway, why not choose one that will improve their future career opportunities, such as Arabic? Here are a few ways that learning Arabic will enhance your child’s future.

Commonality

Arabic is the national language of 20 countries and is the fifth most spoken language in the world. By teaching your child Arabic, you will be giving her the ability to communicate with over 300 million people. The majority of native speakers are concentrated in the Middle East, but with Arabic being the language of Quran, Muslims all over the world speak the language.

High Demand

With the increasing importance of the Middle East in international affairs, there is a growing demand for speakers of Arabic. Few Westerners ever attempt to learn the language, so there is little supply to meet the demand. Those who know the language are needed in many fields including journalism, translation, education, intelligence, and government service. Read more here.

As enumerated above, learning Arabic can actually benefit us with regards to commonality, high demand, financial incentives, high culture, and intercultural understanding. It is important for us to understand our own culture. However, it is also important for us to understand other people’s culture.

The history of Arabic language goes back to 4th century A.D when it was spoken in the Syrian deserts. Due to its lyrical tone, it was mainly used as a means of poetic custom in the Arabian Peninsula and its adjoining regions since then. It has basically originated from the Afro-Asiatic (or Hamito-Semitic) group of languages. Most of its modes of communication are vanished already, but Arabic and Herbew are still verbalized, written and understood with former being implicit in the entire world population. Every word of it originates from a specific root verb.

Arabic is the 5th most frequently spoken native diction in the world. It is majorly used by Muslims worldwide, with over 200 million people in various Arab countries, and well recognized in different regions of Africa as well. It was included as the 6th official form of speech in the United Nations because of its widespread usage all over the globe. Besides, it is also the representative tongue in the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), and the African Union. Read more here.

One benefit given above is that learning how to speak Arabic can help us with finding jobs in Arab countries. Many of us seek to work abroad and Arab countries are really in demand. If you wish to work in Arab countries, then you should already learn how to speak their language because it would be a big plus for you. Knowing how to speak Arabic can really help you in many different ways.

Parents want to ensure that the Singapore international school they choose for their child is the right fit for them. While you can research schools online, look up information such as fees, costs, distance, facilities, on the school website , nothing compares to actually visiting the school. A visit will enable to see for yourself the facilities on offer, the quality of teachers, and the condition of the classrooms. You cannot drop by uninvited though. You might want to get an appointment with the school authorities, so that they can plan for your visit.

If you are serious about the education of your child, you should check out affordable IB school in Singapore.
You need to look out for the following factors in particular.

Classroom setup

since your child will spend a major part of the day in the classroom, you need to check out more than the facilities on offer. The seating arrangements will tell you if the classroom is crowded or well planned. You might want to visit on a school day, to get an idea of how students actually spend the day at the school. You would need to look at how disciplined the students are, whether outside the classrooms, changing classes, or during lunch breaks.

Teachers

It is important to learn more about the qualifications of the teachers who will teach your child, and teachers in general at the singapore international school. You can casually chat with the teachers to learn more about their background, their qualifications, and if they are pleasant and accommodating. It is important to consider staff turnover, since high turnovers mean that the school teaching staff are not happy and this can disrupt the education of your child. You would also need to get to learn more about the teaching methods used, special activities, and so on.

Students

The behavior of the students will tell you a lot about the discipline of the school, and the overall atmosphere. Unruly students are not usually common at international schools, since the teachers are trained to encourage students at studies without being overbearing. still, you would want to check how the students converse with and involve with their teachers and other students. If your child is adept in English, you might want to ensure the other students can also converse with your child in English, so that he or she can easily acclimatize to the new school.

Food and facilities

The quality of food is important and you can visit the lunch room to look at how food is prepared and served. You can then look at some of the other facilities, such as library, play ground, transportation area.

Children begin to explore and experience the world and the things around them right from the time they come into the world. Playgroup allows the toddlers to keep up their exploration. The experiences that they acquire during the first few years are vital for the development of other skills as 75% of the brain develops at this time.

From an early age, it’s important to assist them in recognizing that learning is an enjoyable activity. Preschool activities and games, be it indoor, outdoor or mind games, are more than just fun to the playgroup toddlers. It helps them to learn new skills while having a great time, and develop their physical and cognitive skills through exploration. Their confidence can also be built through the development of their social and communication skills. Learning to care for their peers, mathematics and language readiness are able benefits of preschool.
All the young learners love to play. It permits the kids to use their creativity in order to develop their skills, imagination, cognitive, physical, as well as emotional strength. It accelerates the healthy brain development. The children engage, interact and communicate with the people around them.

There are many such playgroup activities and games that help foster social, aesthetic and gross motor skills in the toddlers and preschoolers. They are games of catch and other physically active games. Activities like skipping, running around, jumping etc., promote large muscular and mental connections development, help master in movement patterns which is one of the most important aspects of a toddler’s life and also provide opportunities to release their energy. Crumb writing improves handwriting skills, nature activities for kids help them appreciate nature and grow with a greater sense of environmental awareness. Wordplay, puzzle and matching games help the young minds improve the concentration level, memory, sensory process and literacy skills. Toddlers learn coordinating and listening skills from puppet games, skit, music and rhythm games too and not to be missed creative activities improve their imagination skills.

Some innovative ideas that are used by the playgroup are chalk, rope, containers that in a way encourage jumping, kicking, stomping, running, etc. There are parks established in many playgroup schools where the following facilities are available. There can be hoops, boxes, artificial large rocks which are good for balancing, climbing on, swaying, etc and hills, tunnels and nooks that inspire crawling and exploring.

Playgroup for toddlers allows parents to introduce their children to a wide range of activities and games that they do not do at home. Most importantly it’s a safe place for children to engage socially with everyone and try new things and thus broaden the social network and benefit in every way.

Besides parents, an educator plays the most important role in a child’s life. Since preschool education develop the social, mental and physical aspect of the child, it is understood that a preschool educator plays a significant role in a preschool child’s life. These educators help in moulding and shaping the child’s characteristics; habits. They take care of the children by paying attention to their needs and wants individually. The preschool education received at the preschool stage has a direct impact on the development of these children as well as on the adult human being they are to become in future. The importance of preschool education is becoming known to the general mass and hence nursery school in Singapore are becoming important.

It is thereby concluded that preschool educators play a vital role in the life of the pre-schoolers. Let us discuss briefly the important roles they play.

While going to a preschool, a child is stepping out of his homely environment for the first time. The child thus has no habit of staying away from parents for a long time. Therefore it is important for an educator to create a comfort zone for the children so that they feel at home. If the children are not made comfortable in their nursery schools, it would be impossible for the teachers to make them pay attention in their classes.

The educators are the only ones who can bridge the gap between the child and the parents while the kids are away from home. The educators have to always keep the parents updated about the child’s habits, achievements, needs, problems and everything else. A pre-schooler is not mature enough to share everything with the due importance and proper explanation to their parents and hence the role of an educator becomes predominant.

Often we find parents expecting very high from their little kids or complaining about the inability of their children. The preschool educator has to explain to them that it is not always justified to expect or complain. Not all children are bestowed with equal capabilities. Thus one needs to first understand the child’s limits. The educator has to take up an important role in helping the parents.
The educators have to take up an active role in planning the routine which he or she would follow throughout the week with the children. It is important to plan out the lesson plan, the activities, the displays for classrooms and many more. To give effective and quality time to children, the educator has to always remain active.

Preschool Education
How a child will be nurtured and brought up is decided by the parents of the child. In fact it is the responsibility of the parents to take decisions about the child—how the child will be brought up, what kind of education the child will receive. Parents have a pivotal role to play in the academic progress of the child. They also play a vital role in deciding the overall social growth of the child.

Preschool is the first academic and social group to which a child is exposed. Preschools assist parents in the upbringing of the child. Preschool education prepare the child for the crests and troughs of the real world—the formal education system. Preschool for toddlers along with parental support help in the holistic growth and development of the child. A good preschool education greatly contributes to a child’s growth into becoming a self-dependent and responsible adult.

Preschool for toddlers is very important. But these preschools become all the more effective when they involve the parents of the child in their teaching program. A good trained preschool teacher along with the parents can contribute immensely towards the growth of the toddler.

Parental Involvement

Children become more creative with parental involvement: children have a different way of perceiving the world and their perceptions are usually very funny and creative. They tend to have a vivid imagination and they think creatively. They can also adapt easily to changing circumstances. Children’s creativity is greatly enhanced with the involvement of the parents. With a vibrant learning environment at home, preschool education also becomes more effective.
Parents should encourage verbally rather than by giving incentives: children love gifts, there is no doubt about that. But giving a child a reward every time he or she does well is not the right way of bringing up your child. Instead using words of encouragement can be a great moral booster for the child. Encouraging and appreciative words from the parents will inspire the child to put in more effort.
Improve academic performance of the child: it has been observed that parental involvement greatly influences the academic performance of the child. After all parents are the primary educators of the child. Hence children whose parents are more involved in the academic performance of the child tend to do better academically.

A moral boost for the teacher: a preschool teachers invests a lot in the growth of the child. A teacher feels morally more uplifted if they see that the parents are taking a keen interest in the upbringing of the child.

If you are an expat with family residing in Singapore, you might be considering options for the education of children. While the local education system is efficient, with plenty of competent schools in the area, you might still settle for a Singapore international school.

If you are serious about the education of your child, you should check out https://www.gess.sg .

Here are some of the reasons you might choose this type of school.

Familiar culture

Let us face it. While you love the concept of globalization and are very accepting of different cultures, you might be aware that your child might initially find a classroom with a completely different setup to be daunting. An international school offers the nurturing environment that your child needs, as he or she begins to get used to a new culture, and starts to explore the new setting. The child will have English speaking classmates and teachers, food that he or she is familiar with, and therefore, less stress.

More amenities

International schools in Singapore may offer more in terms of amenities. If you want your child to be comfortable during hot summer months, then an international school will offer air conditioning. Also, there will be more infrastructure, whether in terms of sports facilities, libraries, audio visual rooms, or other extra curricular activities. International schools also follow a more internationally accepted curriculum ensuring that when you relocate your child does not find it difficult to get accepted into another international school.

Less work load

The schools that function under local curricular guidelines can have high expectations from students. If you want your child to have lesser work load and home work, then an international school might offer the type of curriculum that they might have been used to back home or in any other country. Also, the international schools make it a point to give a fun learning experience to children. If your child dreads difficult subjects such as science, mathematics, or even geography, then an international school is a better choice.

Support for parents

When you are far from home in another country, no matter how hospitable the people, you want to stay within the familiarity of a culture you know. At an international school, you may come across parents in situations similar to yours. this helps parents develop a social network and a place to find support. Also, having the children in the same social network could ease your worries considerably. The rules at international schools are more relaxed, and parents have more say in the education of their children.

It is true that it is parents’ responsibility and obligation to send their children to school. Some parents don’t forget about that. They send their child to school, they pay tuition fees and other expenses, they buy their needs, etc. Some parents, when they do that, they already think that they are fulfilling their responsibility as parents. However, what they don’t know is that that is not enough. Parents have an extra and important role in their child’s education and that is being involved in everything that they do.

One good way to kickstart your child’s education is to prepare him/her for their next stage in life. At My Little Campus, programmes offered to kindergarten children prepare them for Primary School, and the programme has a strong focus on linguistics, Mathematics, Science and life skills. They also cater from infants to kindergarten aged children so do be sure to check their page out.

Next, Nirmala Karuppiah will tell us about a report which says that in the recent preschool boost, parents are the missing critical players.Commentary: In pre-school boost, parents are the missing critical players

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced during his National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 20) that a National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC) will be set up under the ambit of the existing National Institute of Education (NIE).

The new NIEC will consolidate the early childhood education training programmes conducted by the Institute of Technical Education, Ngee Ann and Temasek Polytechnics and SEED Institute for teachers, and develop new curricula for pre-schools including kindergartens and childcare centres.

In his speech, Mr Lee drew a comparison with how primary, secondary and junior college teachers are trained in NIE. He said:

Because teachers are trained well, paid well and have good career prospects, good people take up teaching and we have a good education system.

“We will take the same approach with pre-school teachers: Train them well, reward them well and attract good, passionate people,” he added. Read more here.

An effective learning for students really requires a joint effort from the teachers and especially the parents. Learning does not only happen in school that is why parents must also do their part when they are outside the school. In an article by The Asian Parent, let us read about five ways for busy parents to get involved in their child’s education.

Preschool education in Singapore: 5 Ways for busy parents to get involved!

How can busy parents actively participate in their child’s early childhood preschool education in Singapore? Here are 5 easy tips!

“I only have so many hours in a day!”

That is the common statement that I hear other parents say when the discussion of time management comes in and we start factoring in work, leisure, as well as the time we spend with our children.

Having a newborn is a joyous and life-changing experience. For busy working parents, finding time in their schedules to make sure quality time is spent with their children is key.

Research has shown that the first five years are the formative years of a child’s life. A crucial period where the foundation shaping your child’s future health, happiness, and development occurs.

And with the first three years critical to the development of the brain, where learning skills and social abilities are impacted. Read more here.

Being busy on other matters is not an excuse for parents to not get involved in their children’s education. There are many ways it could happen like having regular check-ins with your child and your child’s early childhood educators, no matter how short. It wouldn’t take up a lot of your time. Just a short check would do.

Now, let us move to another topic which is about tips on how we could raise effectively bilingual pre-school kids. The New Age Parents will tell us about it through their article below.

Raising Effectively Bilingual Pre-school Kids: Tips From An Expert

From a child’s primary years until they move into tertiary education, bilingualism has always been an integral part of Singapore’s education system. But teaching children to learn and love their mother tongues needs to start even before formal schooling begins.

Why?

The mind is best able to absorb a new language between birth and the age of 7.

In a two-year study by a team from the Singapore Centre for Chinese Language (SCCL), results showed that pre-schoolers who spoke and read more in Chinese performed better in the oral and written tests respectively.

Children speak the language of their environment. If they are exposed to their mother tongues in an encouraging and supportive bilingual environment, results will show.

How can parents get started?

Principal of British Council (S) Pre-School, Ms Vivien Kwok shares 3 big tips on how to raise a bilingual child. Read more here.

Being bilingual is an important skill especially in today’s world. It is an advantage in every matter and it would be nice if we raise our kids to be bilingual. It would be helpful in their schooling and in their future work as well. As early as possible, we should give our children this opportunity because it will be for their benefit. Parents have a huge responsibility when it comes to their child’s education and it doesn’t only mean material things, but all the other efforts and help they could give counts.

Ezine Ready Article:. Consider many details to work out: the theme or style of the room or area for your project, materials and charges will be a a part of this. You may go inside a lot of different design directions to get the exact look you would like using the materials that you already have inside your home. Are you thinking of your career in Interior Design? Are you interested in physical spaces, and would you frequently notice your surroundings.

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Independent game designer and artist Edmund McMillen has released his life’s work on CD – and it only costs $10. Guys, this is quality stuff. If I could write that in blinking text, I would damn it! If you don’t believe, just take a look at the trailer below:

This is a rare find, and if you dream of seeing a world full of inspired art, I suggest you order a copy and show your support.

I went to the polls yesterday, and marked my ballot for Obama. It was a somewhat reluctant vote, but I considered him the better of the two by far. I strongly believe that the Republican party has disgraced itself (to be cordial) over the past eight years, and could not see McCain as being much different. While I’m not so excited about a number of points in Obama’s platform, I do see him as a very even, quick-minded individual that will probably be an excellent leader in the tough years ahead.

When McCain conceded and it was announced that Barak Obama was the President Elect, I think something very, very big happened. It was like I heard a loud click last night, and the entire populace simultaneously came to the realization that things are going to be very different. It was as if a necessary balance was restored; something that goes well beyond the past eight years. There is a lot of garbage in the American psyche, and I believe that this election helped us reconcile some of that.

With the election of Obama, the divisions of race have seen an enormous blow; possibly even a death knell, if I may go out on a limb. Yeah, yeah, there will always be bigots about, but I have a great feeling that there will be far fewer of them. Things are different.

I’m feeling at home again and that I look to the future with (cautious) optimism.

The Tarot can be an amazing tool for self-realization. On one hand, it is a deck of 78 cards, much like an expanded poker deck. On the other, it is a set of detailed images that are capable of making changes within the observer.

I’ve read plenty of articles and books, and the opinions differ as to why these images are so evocative. Some authors make the claim that the cards should be considered as living things; the forces depicted on the cards are real in an external sense. Others are convinced that these images are primal archetypes that anyone can relate to, much in line with Jungian psychology.

For me, it really doesn’t matter. In all likelihood, it is probably a mix between these two prominent ideas. These images reflect parts of our inherited cultural mythology as well as the ordeals that we all must go through.

Most literature on the Tarot relates to fortune telling, which is an aspect that I am certainly not interested in. Even if it is possible, it sounds like a fine way of learning how to abjugate personal responsibility. Why strive for change if failure is in the cards, right? Fortunately, there are a few finer books that speak on using the Tarot for cultivating inner wisdom.

Wanting to put some of these claims of transmutation to the test, I began an experiment about six months ago. I decided that I would spend a few minutes per day with one of the cards of the major arcana (otherwise known as the Trumps or Keys), and contemplate the symbolism. The pace was set for one card per week in order to let the ideas set in. I kept a detailed journal, and took some time this weekend to review my notes.

While this so-called experiment is obviously subjective, I can say that I got results. Each week of contemplation appeared to unlock something within my subconscious that allowed me to begin to witness the forces described in the card. For example, the image of Key I, The Magician, made it clear that the self-conscious (me, my ego) has the ability to direct the subconscious. Key II, The High Priestess, represents the virgin subconscious and its vastness when compared to the ego. The imagery evoked a warning of sorts, making it clear that I should be careful with what I plant within, as it could easily get out of control.

Now, these ideas are fine to read about and rationalize, as I was doing before I began my experiment, but it is not the same thing as actually contemplating and meditating on them. I highly encourage others to take this or something similar up for themselves. Spend a few minutes a day by first quieting the mind, and then in contemplation. Poetry would probably be a fine thing to work with, or any religious text of interest. If you would like to work with the Tarot, I recommend starting with the famous Waite-Smith deck.

These fifteen minutes a day of experiential work have done more good for me than any amount of reading.

About me

Hello. My name is Michael Gorsuch, and this is where I throw down my ideas. I’m a hacker at heart. During the day, I’m the sysadmin of a successful software company. Outside of that I’m trying to figure out how different things work (both organic and inorganic)